Sk8fit - The Safe Indoor Board - Interactive Gaming System

ABSTRACT

A balance board comprising of a top side and lower side ( 1 ) to support a user, a centralized detachable hemisphere like balance ball ( 7 ) with rounded surface that is affixed to the lower side of the balance board ( 1 ) and sits on top side of stationary base ( 8 ). When downward pressure is applied to the center balance ball ( 7 ) via balance board ( 4 ), the stationary base absorbs tension thus allowing a spring like jumping motion needed for skilled tricks. Additionally placed to the right and left of the center balance ball you will see two omnidirectional orbital pivots that allow 360 rotations and assist with board rotation. A spring like body within orbital pivot will assist mimic pressure needed for jumping/balance tricks (Ollie). When board in is fixed position, it maximized full balance and gravity. Gravitational placement is based on foot positioning.

RELATED U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Application Number Filing Date Pat. No. Issue Date 11/493,243 Jul. 26,2006 7,357,768 B2 Apr. 15, 2008 12/304,713 Jul. 15, 2007 8,062,199 Nov.22, 2011 11/373,231 Mar. 10, 2006 7,488,177 Feb. 10, 2009 10/622,267Jul. 17, 2003 7,247,026 Jul. 24, 2007 09/175,922 Oct. 20, 1998 6,413,197Jul. 2, 2002 20070027010 Jul. 26, 2006 Feb. 1, 2007

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which has not beenfiled previously

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to proprioception, enhancement devices,and more particularly to balance training. This invention also has theability to house interactive sensors for interactive gaming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sk8Fit was created to assist in the promotion of health awareness thrusafety constraints for the skating industry providing a safe andstructured gateway to the sport of Skateboarding that parents will love.Provides a realistic feel to allow all users regardless of skill-set andage to have fun through product use. The device conditions musclesthroughout the whole body thus assisting with proprioception. Itpromotes balance and satisfaction coordination. It is a primary buildingblock in the human's ability to learn, repeat, and become comfortablewith so many movements throughout life. Sk8Fit leverages the “Newton'sTheory” of Universal Gravitation and places counter restrictions thusallowing a more controlled learning and safer environment Skateboardinginjuries occur most often in the first week of participating in thesport due to lack of balance, confidence and incorrect technique. Thisproduct is the true “safe board” parents can feel comfortable inpurchasing to pre-train and learn the necessary skill sets to excel inthe sport. Physical Therapy and use of the Sk8Fit as GymEquipment-Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovasculardisease. Keeping engaged and exercising may stimulate the growth ofnerve/muscles which help with the overall recovery process. Sk8Fitengages its user ensuring a good cardiovascular workout which helps toneand strengthens muscle. The challenge of balance encourages muscularstabilization by improving core strength which is proprioception. Achild's development for motor skills and balancing skills typicallybegin horn 16-18 months. Good balancing skills arc critical for manysporting movements for later use. It is the foundation from which yourchild will build many movement patterns upon.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Sk8Fit is a training device and interactive gaming system that enables aperson to practice, learn, and master various movements and tricks. Thisdevice is 100% stationary and allows controlled learning in the safestenvironment possible while remaining in a safe controlled atmosphere.There have been other devices that made attempts to simulate andrecreate the feel of riding a skateboard and mimic its tricks but havebeen very unsuccessful. These devices have proven effective in one facetbut none of these devices have allowed for some of the most basic movesto be simulated and recreated in a generally stationary practicelocation. The Sk8fit does.

The balance board on U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,767 has a fulcrum that slideson a affixed rail unlike the referenced balance board that has thecenter balance ball with compression capabilities. Furthermore FIG. 4Reference #12 are only end stops that are non-functional orbits that areomnidirectional in which this new innovation encompasses.

The balance board on U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,199 has similar characteristicsand functionality to U.S. Pat. No. 7,357,767. It does not hold anysimilar traits nor claims aside from being referenced as a balanceboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,177 resembles a balance board more suitable for skiand surf training. Referenced as FIG. 6 #22 and #30 shows thefunctionality of the board pivoting side to side ONLY unlike the saidinvention that has the ability to pivot side to side, front to backusing omnidirectional pivots, and ability to jump using compression likespring capabilities to assist with real like jumping movements.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,026 uses a similar top side board that the userstands on. It lacks the important parts which assist in proving therealistic feel of maneuvering on a normal skateboard. The uniqueness ofthe center orbital, omnidirectional pivots and base to assist with theskateboard experience for training and perfecting.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,026 uses similar teetering dynamics of having thecenter member axis (16) balance the torsion boards both front and rearlips off the ground. This although does not allow for board rotation nortricks that requires jumping in which this new innovation does.

Similar to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,357,767 and 8,062,199, US Application No.20070027010 has a fulcrum that slides on a affixed rail.

Again, Sk8Fit is designed to provide a user with the ability to practiceskate-like techniques and train those particular muscle groups safelythat will he utilized and implemented in the actions of riding askateboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination of balance training board andinteractive gaming device. Sk8Fit is an innovative product that helpspromote user balance and coordination while having fun through theexperience. It is intended to serve as a base platform and gateway tolearning the necessary skill sets to the sport of Skateboarding. Sk8Fitis compact with a modern sleek customizable look that can be used as aliving room, bedroom and/or dorm decorative piece that is cool yetfunctional. The Sk8Fit can also been enhanced for interactive gamingwith its strategic placed sensors and compression plates. The Sk8fi'sdevice is made up of (1) Sk8Fit universal pre-drilled customizable deck,(2) Sk8Fit customizable trucks with compression spring and orbital pivot(ball joint) w/optional sensor for interactive gaming, (1) Sk8Fitcustomizable balance ball (orbital) with compression spring and internalbearings w/optional sensor for interactive gaming, (1) Sk8fitcustomizable base which includes two large trucks with attached balanceplate (where balance hall Is housed). See description drawings. Sk8Fithas a top side, underside, and base. The underside is arranged where thedetachable orbital center balance ball rests on the Sk8fit'scustomizable base. To the right and kit of the center orbital hall liesSk8Fit's customizable truck with orbital pivot housing, ball andcompression spring. The center ball separates the two trucks making twoindividual equilibrium positional points. One side is stable, while theother is unstable offering a teetering yet safe experience. When the twotrucks containing the small pivotal balls are not touching the groundand you are solely balancing on the center orbital bail which lies onthe base, you are folly balancing. By applying pressure on one side ofSk8fit's deck engaging Sk8fits customizable truck with pivot;compression spring coils and uncoils thus giving a jump like “Ollie”motion. This jump like motion with practice will build self-confidence,balance, strength, and muscle memory to graduate to more complex trickssuch as a kick flip. By balancing on the center ball and making theSk8Fit board sum 180 degrees or more under their feet, user can gainconfidence in executing Shove-It tricks. There are many variations ofthe Shove-it but they all follow the same principle: The user lead footstays in one spot, and their hack foot docs the shove. By applyingpressure on the pivot ball and adding the “shove-it” principal, userswill learn the pop-shove it. These movements when practiced become theessential movements for the sport of skateboarding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the orbital pivot housing (1)which holds the internal compression like spring. (2) Identifies thepredrilled holes on the top side of the pivot housing that affixes tothe bottom side of the balance board deck (4). (3) Identifies theorbital pivot ball that assist with the omnidirectional movement when inthe orbital pivot housing (1)

FIG. 2 is a right side view of one of the orbital pivot housings (1).The orbital pivot ball (3) fits directly into the orbital pivot housing(1)

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the orbital pivot housing (1). The broken linesignifies bow two housing parts (1) connect and how the orbital pivotbail (3) is inserted for placement.

FIG. 4 is the top view of the orbital pivot housing (1). (2) Identifiesthe predrilled holes used to affix the orbital pivot housing to thebottom side of the balance board deck (4)

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the balance board deck (4) which consistof a raised end nose (5) and tail (6). (3) Identifies the orbital pivotball affixed to the deck (4). (7) Identifies the center balance ballwith internal compression springs (7 a)

FIG. 6 is a side view of the balance board (4) with affixed orbitalpivot housing (1), orbital pivot ball (3), center balance ball (7), andcompression spring within housing (7 a)

FIG. 7 is the top view of the balance board (4). It calls out the nose(5) and tail (6) of the said balance board deck (4). (2) Signifies thepredrilled holes

FIG. 8 is the rear view of the balance board deck (4) affixed to theorbital pivot ball (3) with said housing (1). The center balance ball(7) is also affixed to the deck (4) via compression spring housing (7 a)

FIG. 9 is a top view of the base that holds and assists the assembledinvention to balance off of the ground and based on user movements. (8)Signifies the base plate, (9) is the truck that holds the wheel (10).The wheel (10) has ¼ of the wheel removed giving a flat surface toassist with stability

FIG. 10 is a side view of the base. (8) Identifies the base plate mwhich the center balance ball (7) sits on when in use. (9) Signifies thetruck in which holds the wheel (10) in place

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the base hot calls out (8) the base plate,truck (9) which holds the wheel (10) and shock absorber (11) to assistwith alleviating too much pressure which also gives some compression

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the base. It identifies the wheel (10)which is affixed to the truck (9) which is also to the base plate (10)

FIG. 13 is the top view of the complete balance board deck (4) with base(8) that shows the wheels (10)

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the balance board (4) sitting on top of thebase (8). The raised deck lip can be (5) or (6) for example sake. Notedalso is the shock absorber (11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing(1) and pivot orbital bail (3)

FIG. 15 is a side view of the balance board (4) with raised deck lip (5and 6) sitting on top of the base (8). Noted also is the shock absorber(11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing (1) and pivot orbital ball(3)

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the balance board (4) with raised decklip (5 and 6) sitting on top of the base (8). Noted also is the shockabsorber (11), center balance ball (7), pivot housing (1) and pivotorbital ball (3).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a combination of the Sk8Fit board and optionalinteractive gaming system. The device allows user to improve theirbalance, muscular coordination and timing while simulating variousmaneuvers which are commonly performed in sport of skateboarding. SK8fitsimulates the actual movements of a requited to execute flawless trickswith landing proportion when placed upon a board and engaged in theactual skateboarding action.

Sk8Fit has a top side, underside, and base referred to as the deck (1).The underside is arranged where the detachable orbital center balanceball (7) rests on the Sk8fit's customizable base (8). To the right andleft of the center orbital ball lies Sk8Fit's customizable track withorbital pivot housing, ball and compression spring (1). The balance ball(7) separates the two orbital pivots and housing (1) making twoindividual equilibrium positional points. One side is stable, while theother is unstable offering a teetering yet safe experience. When the twotrucks (1) containing die small pivotal balls are not touching theground and you are solely balancing on the center balance ball (7) whichlies on the base (8), you are rally balancing. By applying pressure onone side of Sk8fit's deck (4) engaging Sk8fits customizable truck withpivot; compression spring within pivot housing (1) coils and uncoilsthus giving a jump like “Ollie” motion. This jump like motion withpractice will build self-confidence, balance, strength, and musclememory to graduate to more complex tricks such as a kick flip. Bybalancing on the center balance ball (7) and making the Sk8Fit hoard (4)spin 180 degrees or more under their feet, user can gain confidence inexecuting Shove-It tricks. There are many variations of the Shove-it betthey all follow the same principle: The user lead foot stays in onespot, and their back foot does the shove. By applying pressure on thetrucks/ball/and base (8) and adding the “shove-it” principal, users willlearn the pop-shove it. These movements when practiced become theessential movements for the sport of skateboarding.

Optional Interactive Gaming Sensors are to be located on orbital pivothousing (1), base (8) and inside the center balance ball (7).

I claim:
 1. A balance board (1) comprising of a top side, lower side,first end and a second end to support a user
 2. A balance board as inaccordance with claim 1 in which is made up of any hard compositematerial for durability such as wood or hard plastic
 3. A balance boardas in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a centralizeddetachable hemisphere like balance ball (7) with rounded surface that isaffixed to the lower side of the balance board (1) and sits on top sideof stationary base (8) to maximize mobility
 4. A balance board as inaccordance with claim 3 allows balance board to rotate
 5. A balanceboard as in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a stationary base(8) that houses balance board via center balance ball
 6. When downwardpressure is applied to the center balance ball (7) via balance board(4), the stationary base absorbs tension via shock absorber (11) thusallowing a spring like jumping motion needed for skilled tricks
 7. Abalance board as in accordance with claim 1 further comprising twostrategically placed omnidirectional orbital pivots (1) outside of toassist with board rotational speed. A spring like body within orbitalpivot will assist mimic pressure needed for jumping/balance tricks(Ollie). When board in is fixed position (FIG. 15), it maximized foilbalance and gravity. Gravitational placement Is based on footpositioning
 8. A balance board as claimed in claim 1 where interactivesensor for gaming is optional but not required for manual use